Phil Jagielka celebrates scoring his team's third goal with Matthew Pennington during the Premier League match between Everton and Leicester City at Goodison Park on April 9, 2017

Everton identified Rooney as potential captain material when he was still a teenager, with David Moyes offering to make him skipper back in 2004 before he departed aged just 18.

Phil Jagielka – who marked a decade with the Blues last week – remains club captain and, unless he departs Goodison, the veteran defender who has fulfilled the role for the past four years since Phil Neville’s retirement is expected to continue.

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However, following Michael Keane’s arrival from Burnley, Jagielka could find his playing time increasingly restricted over the coming months so Koeman might be tempted to turn to a new leader on the pitch. In that respect the Dutchman won’t be short of candidates.